WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GIS INTERACTIVE ORMA MAP

An ORMA is a designated nearshore area that extends 3,000 feet seaward from the coastline and may contain zones for specific ocean uses, including:

Swimming
Thrill Craft operation
Water skiing or sledding
Canoe/kayak ingress and egress
Snorkeling, scuba, and sightseeing tours
Parasailing
High-speed boating

ORMAs help reduce user conflicts, increase safety, and manage access. It is important for vessel operators to understand permitted and restricted activities within ORMAs.

LINK TO ORMA MAP

A little bit of knowledge can go a long way. Here are some ways to educate yourself before you go out on the water.

Subscribe to the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners, and update nautical charts and related information weekly. Safe navigation is not an accident.
Monitor weather conditions. Use a NOAA weather radio, an inexpensive receiver that can provide instant access to weather forecasts and emergency weather information.
Recreational boaters should take courses in chart use, seamanship and navigation. Contact the United State Power Squadrons and the United States Coast guard Auxiliary to enroll.
Participate in the volunteer cooperative Charting program through the U.S. Power Squadrons.
Smaller boats should avoid using deep-draft channels which are the only places large ships can travel. Small recreational boats in front of a ship’s bow are often not visible from the ship’s bridge. Be aware and considerate of large commercial vessels.

Visit the District 14 Notices to Mariners web page (includes Main Hawaiian Islands)

NOAA	URL ON THE WEB
Charts	https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov
Educational information about tides, tide predictions, water levels and currents:	https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov
Weather Radio	https://weather.gov/nwr
National Data Buoy Center	https://ndbc.noaa.gov
Ocean Prediction Center	https://ocean.weather.gov
U.S. COAST GUARD	URL ON THE WEB
USCG 14th District (including Hawaii)	https://uscg.mil/d14
Office of Boating Safety	https://USCGBoating.org
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary	https://cgaux.org
United States Power Squadrons	https://usps.org